dougaldston estate

The Dougaldston Spice Estate/Plantation is much the same as it was in the late 1700's. Not much has changed and it does represent a historical insight into how spices were readied for sale and consumption. Don't be surprised if you see a dog or cat walking about the spice room. Being part of this history offeres a rare opportunity. If you're in Grenada it's well worth you time.

We only saw a very old spice processing shack at the Dougaldston Estate. The had some tracks that were used to move the spice drying trays and a shack where they laid out a few different spices on a wooden table to explain what they were. I was expecting a full estate tour of buildings, grounds etc. It was interesting, but just OK.

To see how the spices we used daily back home are harvested and prepared for consumption is fascinating. The centuries old estate is beautifully set and worth the drive to see.

This estate, once a plantation, used to process spices the old fashioned way with contraptions built in the 1500 and 1600s. It is interesting to take a step back in time with a tour guide to show you the ins and outs of nutmeg, mace and cocoa processing. You can buy spices for a good price onsite. This is a popular tourist spot, so parking can be hard to find due to tour buses.

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting this spice estate. Learned a lot about nutmeg, chocolate, bay, etc. Very small and personal tour.

We took a tour of Granada from the cruise ship & this was our second stop.It is located just south of Gouyave. There were 12 other vans in the parking lot when we arrived.They had various spices laid out on a table.You can see nutmeg,mace,cloves,cocoa & cinnamon sticks.They try to have you guess what spice comes from different leaves bark,etc..Then then explain all of the various spices to you & pass around the nuts,leaves, bark etc to examine. I found it very interesting. They have spices for sale on your way out.They provided us with free refreshments. The restrooms on site were clean.

If you are thinking about visiting this place, don't bother. When I visited in 2001 it was a working spice factory. Now in 2014 it is a non working factory. When we arrived there was a mother inside the entrance breast feeding her baby and a man laying on a sofa. On the table were a few jars containing spices and a cocoa bean. The whole area looked as if it should be dismantled. A waste of time, so glad I saw it in 2001 and have photos to prove it. There are more spices in Tesco!!

There is not much here any more but it is interesting to see the old buildings and learn about what would have occurred during this Estates hey day. Great people who are more than willing to share the past with you. Simple attraction so don't expect something modern and glamorous - but definitely gives you an insight into the historical aspects of the island. And the drive there is lovely!

Once we finally found this old plantation it was fun to see. Sadly at 3 in the afternoon no one was there to show us round but as there was a big funeral in Gouyave that day that could have been the reason. Go on a tour that takes this in rather than independently if you go out of high season.

A visit to the Dougaldston estate is like trying to find a needle in a haystack no roadside directions but once there the lady who gave us the talk was informative but the place needs a major face lift.

This place i am sure has seen better days, numerous individuals i've asked told tales of mass spice and crop production in the days of yore; during the banana, nutmeg and cocoa industries, Dougaldston was said to be one of the largest international suppliers. I would recommend taking a wander's tour, walk around the entire place (or as much as you can handle), there is much to find including an old liquor loft (the estate produced it's own rum once upon a time) and an old Great House perched at the top of the hill with an amazing view might i add. The rustic front is but a small glimpse of the estate. since it's actual size is over 600 acres of land ... Yup! i was a bit taken aback to hear that the owners had bought over 1000 acres and sold/gave away some, but still had so much land left in Grenada. None the less it would be great if the management received aid maybe form the government or interested parties to redevelop the place. The staff are friendly, and the actually "tourist tour" is informative however, nothing you won't find somewhere else, but if you are intrigued by history or maybe have a grand idea and the money to match, this place is worth a visit.

The plantation was devastated by the hurricanes a few years back and never recovered. Its a shadow of its past, but the staff provide a very good demonstration of many of the products grown and harvested, explanations of life and activity. Not a place to stop for a long stop, but worth a stop if you are in the area.

If you want a slick tourist experience this place isn't for you as the collection of ramshackled and derelict buildings are a rusting, crumbling reminder of what used to be. However as a piece of industrial history it's quite fascinating. The staff are friendly and well informe and a number of slices can be purchased quite expensively. It is however NOT easy to find so my directions are, traveling north to drive along the main coastbroad into Gouyave and look out for a turning on the right (obviously!) just before a wide bridge and with a playing field on the other side. Having turned into this road it bears right after maybe 50m ay which point you should go straight on. You will then see a gate on your left, this is the entrance . It looks derelict (which laregly it is) but continue round along the track and you will find the entrance around the back out of sight.

Entrance is up a narrow track on the outskirts of Gouave. It's a collection of ramshackle buildings populated by half a dozen of so local nutmeg workers. They will explain what they do and how the nutmeg is used.There is no admission charge but it is customary to tip them $5-10 (East Carib. dollars) and perhaps and extra $5 for a photo with the women in colourful local costumes. Either go on an organised tour or hire a car or a taxi. It's worth going once.

Grenada is the Spice Island but it's more than just nutmeg. Our ship excursion took us here and we saw many other spices grown on the island and how they are processed. Nice tour. Worth a visit. Quite primative, but one gets an insight into how spices have been grown and processed for hundreds of years.